Dynamic variable resistance balance board

Abstract

A balancing apparatus includes a platform that tilts upon a hemisphere attached to the lower surface thereof. The platform has a grooved track along its periphery. The outermost wall of the track is inclined. A ball is movable around said track upon tilting of the platform and can climb the outermost wall of the track when moved at a fast speed. The ball adds resistance to the tilting of the platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A balancing apparatus comprising: a) a rigid platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface comprising a center area large enough to accommodate the placement of one or two human feet, said center area surrounded by a grooved track, said grooved track having an inclined outermost wall;   b) a pivoting mechanism attached to the lower surface of said platform to allow tilting of said platform on a support surface; and   c) an object seated in said track such that said object is movable around said track upon tilting said platform can climb the outermost wall of said track when moving at a fast speed.   
     
     
       2. A balancing apparatus comprising: a) a rigid platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface comprising a center area large enough to accommodate the placement of one or two human feet, said center area surrounded by a continuous grooved track, said grooved track having an outermost wall having an incline forming an angle with said platform of up to about 45 degrees;   b) a pivoting means having a curved end and a flat end, said flat end attached to the lower surface of said platform adjacently beneath said center area; and   c) an object seated in said continuous grooved track such that said object is moveable around said track upon tilting of said track and such that said object can climb the outermost wall of said track when moving at a fast speed.   
     
     
       3. The balancing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said object is a ball. 
     
     
       4. The balancing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said center area is about 51 cm to about 71 cm and the maximum diameter of said pivot means is about 12.7 cm to about 25.4 cm. 
     
     
       5. A balancing apparatus comprising: a) a rigid platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface comprising a center area large enough to accommodate the placement of one or two human feet, said center area having a diameter, said center area surrounded by a grooved track, said grooved track having an inclined outermost wall;   b) a pivoting means having a curved end and a flat end, said flat end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said center area, wherein said flat end is attached to the lower surface of said platform adjacently beneath said center area; and   c) a resistance means comprising at least one object seated in said grooved track, wherein said object is movable around said track upon tilting said platform such that said object can climb the outermost wall of said track when moving at a fast speed.   
     
     
       6. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform is circular. 
     
     
       7. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform has a perimeter and said track lies substantially about the perimeter of said platform. 
     
     
       8. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said resistance means object is a ball. 
     
     
       9. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said resistance means comprises a plurality of objects interchangeably seatable in and moveable around said track, wherein each of said objects provides a different amount of resistance against being moved around said track. 
     
     
       10. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said resistance means further comprises a plurality of interchangeable track surfaces fittingly positionable atop of said track and having different degrees of coarseness. 
     
     
       11. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pivoting means has a substantially hemispherical shape. 
     
     
       12. The balancing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said hemispherical pivoting means is a plurality of interchangeable hemispherical bases having different diameters. 
     
     
       13. The balancing apparatus of claim 5 further wherein said grooved circular track is covered by a lid sufficient to retain said object.